Good Morning,
My first stop would be the IT department to see what they have available in screen reading and speech to text (something like Dragon Naturally Speaking), this would allow them to access websites and documents as well as produce documents without the need to type. Most operating systems have Accessibility features built in to help with this as well.
For projects maybe reviewing your websites and public materials to make sure they are compliant with best practices for accessibility. Maybe working with audio based interpretive materials (we have a QR code you can scan to access information about the collection via audio via a web site on a mobile device). Starting a program based around iPods or something that can be loaned out to visually impaired visitors. There's also a tactile interactive exhibit opportunity. Basically anything to make your collection more accessible and it can be done using tools that someone who is visually impaired could easily work with. I would think rather than try and work around their visual impairment, why not embrace it as a unique chance to expand access.
Take care,
Jim
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Jim Mooney
Museum Security Supervisor
Currier Museum of Art
Manchester NH
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2022 06:34 PM
From: Sarah Carlson
Subject: Open Forum Question: Visual Impairment working in Museum Collections
Hello,
I work at a small university anthropology museum, working closely with college and graduate students. One of my student workers recently shared with me that they will be navigating a significant visual impairment at some point in their future and would like to structure some of their projects with me this year around preparing for working in museums collections without the benefit of sight. I'm working to brainstorm some ideas, including training in 3D printing, but most of the information I'm finding online about making museums more accessible for people with visual impairments is more focused on museum visitors than museum staff members. Does anyone have any insight into the skills this student might need to develop, or ideas for projects I could structure to help them build those skills?